Envelope with return label protected in transit



April 14, 1970 w. c. VON CLEMM 3,506,186 ENVELOPE WITH RETURN LABEL PROTECTED IN TRANSIT Filed April 10, 1968 SAVE THE LABELS FOR YOUR QEPN LETTER 66 JOHN DOE 419 uzxmewou NIP/(68) NEW YORK, N.V.,\0m'1 SAVE THE LABELS FOR YOUR REPLY LETfER INVENTOR:

WERNER C.VON CLEMM,

Hi5 ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 14, 1970 3,506,186 ENVELOPE WITH RETUlRN LABEL PROTECTED IN TRANSIT Werner C. Von Clemm, 214 E. 17th St., New York, N.Y. 10003 Filed Apr. 10, 1968, Ser. No. 720,072 Int. Cl. B65d 27/00, 2.7/06, 27/14 US. Cl. 229-73 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to envelopes and more particularly to envelopes having a removable return address label formed therewith.

Because of the greatly expanded volume of mail processed currently, and the attendant need for correct address and Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) Code numbers, there is need for an improved envelope on which the address of the sender is accurately and legibly printed in label form which may easily be detached for future use. Accuracy can be assured if the address of the sender is provided by the sender himself. Legibility can be assured if the address is printed as opposed to being handwritten. Preferably, the address should be comprised of printed characters including ZIP Code numbers that can be read by the high speed scanning machines now being contemplated for use in automated Post Oflices.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the present invention has all the attributes mentioned above. In addition, envelopes incorporating the structure of this invention can be produced competitively with conventional envelopes, on existing envelope making machines without the need for any substantial modification of the equipment. Further, the'present invention is applicable to commercial and non-commercial envelopes alike and provides a higher standard of convenience than is now available.

Briefly, the present invention is comprised of a removable patch occupying a portion of one of the envelope flaps. The senders name and address, including the Zone Improvement Plan or ZIP Code number, is imprinted on the patch, preferably in addition to the senders address that is conventionally printed on the seal flap or the front face of the envelope. The reverse side of the patch is provided with an adhesive and the patch is outlined by perforations. When the sender requires a reply, the recipient merely tears off the patch and adhesively applies it to the front face of another envelope. Thus, the patch which was imprinted with the senders address, becomes a return label when the original sender is the recipient of the reply he requested.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the patch is formed on the seal flap of the envelope and a bend line is made parallel to the bend line along which the seal flap is joined to the body of the envelope. Thus the portion of the seal flap containing the patch may be folded under the remainder of the seal flap when the letter is closed. A suitable legend on the envelope advises the recipient of the presence of the patch when a reply is requested by the sender.

As will be evident from the following description, the present invention may be incorporated in an envelope without substantially altering the envelope producing equipment. Conventional side flap plowshares, gummers, aligners, collater and counters may still be used when the present invention is added to a standard envelope. It is necessary to add only means for providing the additional bend line to the .seal flap, perforating means and a gum box and applicator for the patch. As envelope making machines are operating at increasing speeds, however, and the trend has been to make the machines as completely rotary as possible, the components needed for this inventiorr may be included by providing additional rollers. The added components would be driven and would function in the same manner a similar, existing components. For this reason envelopes according to the present invention may be made from a continuous web or from preformed blanks.

Accordingly, it is among the primary objects of this invention to provide an improved envelope having a readily removable return address label formed integrally therewith foldable to assume a protecting position during mailing.

It is another object of the invention to provide a readily removable return address label formed integrally with the seal flap of an envelope.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an additional bend line on the seal flap of the aforementioned envelope so that the return address label will be protected by folding it under the remainder of the seal flap before adhering the seal flap in place prior to mailing.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an envelope with a label which envelope maybe manufactured on conventional envelope making machines with a minimum of alterations thereto.

. It is still a further object of this invention to provide a readily removable return address label for an envelope, the label being printed with characters of a type that may be read by automatic scanning machines.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pre-gummed return address label having the characteristics described above.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a return address label having the characteristics and being positioned during mailing as described above and which is bounded by a line of perforations or the like to facilitate easy removal of the label from the envelope.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and-will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms an integral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts} In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an envelope blank illustrating a form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the reverse side of the envelope blank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rear surface of an envelope formed by folding the blank illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic, sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. Envelope blank 50jincludes a body portion 52 towhich is joined two side fiaps 54, a bottom flap'56 and a seal flap 58, the flaps 54, 56 and 58 being joined to the body portion 52 along bend lines 60, 62 and 64, rwpectively. In this embodiment the seal flap 58 includes areas 66 and 68,,one or both of which may Serve as a return address label and. on which the (return) address and ZIP code number of the sender is' imprinted in characters of a type that may be read by automated j scanning machines.

A line of perforations" or other suitably weakened line 70, substantially parallei to bend line 64, separates the two areas 66 and 68 and more importantly defines one of the four sides of area 68. The remaining three sides of area 68, numbered 72, 74 and 76 are completely cut through the thickness'of the seal flap 58 so that the line of perforations 70 also serves as a bend line in addition to being the line along which the area 68 is torn from thejseal flap 58. Alternatively, a separate bend line for area 68 could be provided in addition to the line of perforations 70. In passing it should be noted that reference character 66 has been used to designate an area but this is for convenience only since it is not essential that area 66 have an exactly delineated boundary.

'The reverse side of both areas and 68 are provided with adhesive coatings 78 {and 80, respectively, and the marginali'free edge of seal flap 58 is provided with a band of adhesive 82 in a conventional manner as shown in FIG. 6. It is to be understood that adhesive coating 66 maybe omitted so that only area 68 serves as a 'readily removable returrs address label. From the foregoing it is apparent that, although adhesive coatings 78,

" 80 and 82 are all located on the same surface of the seal flap 58, thereby to simplify manufacture of the envelope, there is little chance that the adhesive coatings 78 and 80 can he accidentally rnoistened when adhesive coating 82 is moistened for sealing purposes since they are sufficiently separated. A suitable iegend 84 is provided to clearly indicate the manner in which the return label is to be used. 7

Referringnow to FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the envelope blank of FIG. 1 is shown in the folded condition, it wiii be seen that area 68 is folded along the line of perforations 70 and is positioned underneath area 66 in a completely concealed and protected location when the envelope is sealed. An opening 86 is thereby formed in the seal flap 58. If a reply is requested by the sender, the recipient need only tear off area 68 along weakened line 70 and moisten adhesive coating 80 before applying it to the front surface of another envelope. The reason that the adhesive coating 78 is applied to the rear surface of area 66 is to provide a spare return address label. Should the spare label be required, area 66 can be out very easily from the seal flap 58 along the boundary defined by the adhesive coating 78 on the rear surface of the seal flap 58.

From the foregoing it will be evident that there has been provided an improved envelope that has an integral but readily removable return address label. The present invention can be manufactured on conventional envelope making machines with only relatively minor modifications thereto. The return address labei is positioned so as to be protected against soiling, for example is protected by the seal flap. Further when the seal flap is moistened there is no danger of moistening the adhesive on the return address label.

A particular advantage of this invention is that the senders name, address and ZIP code number can be legibly printed on the label in characters and style selected for reading by automatic scanning mechanisms and thus facilitate handling of the mail. As the sender has the return address label printed, there can be no question as to its accuracy thu further aiding the speedy delivery in the mail.

In the illustrated embodiment, the return address label is bounded by a line of perforations to permit easyremoval of the return address label. While this is the preferred construction it should be understood that other arrangements may be used. For example, in the envelope arts, it is known that embossing can be used instead of perforations to weaken locally a portion of the wall of the envelope. 7

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiments of the invention presently contemplated. It is to be understood however that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, while the return label has been disclosed to be associated with the gummed flap, this is nota necessary restriction; it could instead be associated with any other desiredpart of the envelope. 1;

Iwish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. i

*Having thus described the invention, whatqI claim ;as new and desire to be secured by Eetters Patent, is as follows: 1

l 1. In combination with an envelope comprising a wall including a body portion, and flaps each joined to said body portion along a bend line, the improvement comprising: g

(a) a label having a face carrying mail delivery indicia and being located at a first surface of one of said fiaps of said envelope;

(b) means establishing a weakened portion between said label and the wall near said labei, whereby said label may be torn from said flap;

(c) an adhesive disposed on a surface of said label opposite to said face, and

(d) said one flap including a portion bendable relative to another portion of said flap to a folded position for maiiing wherein the face of the label will be adjacent said body, and be protected thereby during transit'in the mail, said indicia being imparted to said label prior to folding of said one flap to said folded position, said one flap being the seal flap of the envelope carrying a coating for envelope sealing, said adhesive on said label after folding for mailing being disposed on a surface of said envelope opposite to said coating of said seal flap.

2. In combination with an envelope comprising a wall including a body portion, and flaps each joined to said body portion along a bend line, the improvement comprising:

(a) a label having a face carrying mail delivery indicia and being located at a first surface of one of said flaps of said envelope;

(b) means establishing a weakened portion between said label and the wall near said label, whereby said label may be torn from said flap;

(c) an adhesive disposed on a surface of said label opposite to said face, and

(d) said one flap including a portion bendable relative to another portion of said flap to a folded position for mailing wherein the face of the label will be adjacent said body and be protected thereby during transit in the mail, said indicia being imparted to said label prior to folding of said one flap to said folded position, wherein said means establishing a weakened portion extends along a length of said label less than the periphery thereof, the remainder of said periphery of said label being defined by a cut through the thickness of said one fiap.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means establishing a weakened portion defines a bend line and said labei is folded along said bend line to be a concealed and protected location under the remainder of said one flap during transit in the mail.

5 6 4. In combination with an envelope comprising a wall bent under bringing the one label adjacent the body of including a body portion, and flaps each joined to said the envelope and thereby protecting it during transit in body portion along a bend line, the improvement comthe mail.

prising: References Cited two labels suitable for return address information 10- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS cated on the surface of one of said fiaps of sald envelope, one of said labels being bounded on three 1,645,148 10/1927 Mccaln 22973 sides by a cut, the other label bounded on three 2,508,953 5/1950 Knutsem sides by a line, an adhesive disposed on the inner FOREIGN PATENTS surface of both labels, and a crease between the two 10 labels permitting one of them to be folded under the 5 gig:

other, thereby bringing the folded label adjacent the body portion of the envelope and protecting it DAVID BOCKENEK Primary Examiner during transit in the mail. 5. The combination in accordance with claim 4, an 15 5 CL adhesive disposed on a bendable portion of said flap con- 229 70, 63 taining one of said labels, said portion of said flap when 

